DCHP-3

Unionist

Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

a person in favor of union among the provinces of British North America, especially of Upper and Lower Canada.

Quotations

1823
It is probable, that the Unionists are to be found chiefly, if not wholly amongst the mercantile classes of the community.
1840
As regards Canadian politics in particular, I am a Unionist in every sense of the word.
1904
After quoting . . . from the Unionist petition, Papineau exclaims: "Are not these accents of rage and hatred?"
2n.

a supporter of Confederation.

Quotations

1869
The elections in Newfoundland have resulted adversely to Confederation. Twelve Antis and five Unionists have been returned, and five Constituencies remain to be heard from.
1875
The Honorable W. H. Pope, the colonial secretary -- who was always a decided unionist -- spoke effectively for an hour in its favor.
1953
Two weeks before polling day, even with the aid of their two disreputable election Acts, the Unionist campaign managers were still not sure of success
3n.

during World War 1 and later, a supporter of the principle of a coalition government.

Quotations

1916
Most of these adventurous souls, of whom the newspapers keep any account, go into politics. A majority of them become Unionists, speak often on platforms -- sometimes quite badly, sometimes well -- write books, engage in social reform, get taken up by the aristocracy, perhaps themselves acquire titles along the way.
1961
Clear Grits, Unionists, Progressives . . . are part of the ancestral lore of politics -- parties with a past but without a future.